KMA HOSTS UK-GHANA BUSINESS COUNCIL REGIONAL FORUM IN ASHANTI.

Under the framework of the UK-Ghana Business Council(UK-GBC) the UK and Ghana jointly hosted a regional forum in Kumasi to build a shared understanding of priorities on economic development, job creation, business, trade and investment. The meeting was co-chaired by Honorable Osei Assibey Antwi, Mayor of Kumasi, and H.E. Ian Walker, the British HighCommissioner to Ghana.

The purpose of the meeting was committed to continueexploring opportunities for further investment and collaboration between the UKand Ghana in the region.

His Excellency Ian Walker said the UK was ready topartner the KMA in six (6) industrial sectors namely, the Agro-processing,extractives, garments/textiles, digital, pharmaceutical and financial services.

According to him, the UK had investors who were alsocommitted to invest in Real Estate Development, Museums, Car parks and Waste toEnergy (recycling) among others.

The British Envoy noted that the results of themeeting would be presented to the next UK-Ghana Business Council meeting to beheld in Accra on 4th October 2019.

 Hon. Osei Asibbey Antwi in his welcome speechlauded the United Kingdom (UK) for the significant investment they have alreadymade in the Ashanti region, most recently the modernization and expansion ofthe Phase II of the Kejetia/Central Market Redevelopment Project, the Expansionof Kumasi Airport and the Construction of the Bekwai Hospital, which are allfunded by the United Kingdom Government and added that the KMA would welcome UKcommercial partners for upcoming projects to develop High Rise Parkingfacilities, International Convention Centres and Real Estate properties in andaround the city.

He noted that Kumasi had a large population and thelargest open-air market in West Africa which also serves as a transit point fora large number of people from the West African corridor.

According to him, there could not have been any bettertime for strategic economic partnerships than now and that for instance investingin the agro-processing sector in Kumasi and its environs would be one of besteconomic decisions due to the central location of Kumasi: not far from thesource of raw materials, labour or the ports to facilitate transportation andothers.

A Communiquéwas later signed between the KMA and the UK.   

STORY:EMMANUEL ANTWI JNR